City water vs well water
 

I am thinking about adding a well for irrigation needs. I can use a T and pump from my rain tank and well at the same time. However I was told a shallow well would be about 30' and would be high in iron so much so that it would turn the outside walls of my house orange. If it is turning my walls orange will it be save for all my plants? Does anyone have good advice or City water vs high iron well water. Thanks

Re: City water vs well water
 

How much will it cost to dig and set up the well? Is it worth the expense? I grew up on untested well water but that was up north. None of my family were ever low on iron but we didn't turn orange either. If the price is low enough, I'd vote for having an alternate source; water restrictions can and do occur. From what I've read, iron shouldn't hurt your plants. Depending on what type it may help them a little. I wouldn't hesitate to irrigate with an existing well; I'm just not sure I'd pay to have one dug.

ETA: When I had city water in MD, I also had sewer. Every gallon from the tap cost me 2x as "waste" even if it was going outside. You could get a separate meter for a pool or garden but the cost was prohibitive. So I watered my garden with very expensive water. In addition they passed a storm water tax so, because it rained and snowed, I paid even more to water the plants. Sheesh!

Re: City water vs well water
 

A shallow well 30' is under $1,000 installed with permits.

We do have city sewer out here right now, which I am pretty happy about. We do how ever have Rain water run off tax. I do not agree with it and voted against it but you can't beat City Hall. LoL I was thinking $1,000 now and more irrigation I could easily save that much in water cost in less than 5 years. Just not sure how safe it would be. I was told the iron would turn everything it touches orange, my house, fence, and tree trunks.

Re: City water vs well water
 

I know FL well water "pits" windows in the Cocoa area; it also stains buildings when used for standard watering. Drip irrigation would solve those issues. Do any of your neighbors have wells? (Odds are you'd have the same mixture or close.) You could have their water tested then ask the AG department if that "blend" would harm plants.

Re: City water vs well water
 

So does that mean you Banana Inerds would be artificially Orange? :^)

Re: City water vs well water
 

I think there are several things to consider, but at the end I think its about looking at water quality, availability and how much this will cost you over the period you plan to live at that property.

If I had the money I would get a deep well if you plan on living there long term. I think eventually there could be significant irrigation watering restrictions in Florida. With a deep well you are in control of the volume of water and you are less likely to run out of water in a deeper aquifer. Additionally you wont run into the iron problems if you area is like mine.

Re: City water vs well water
 

Good Question! That would work wonders for RED bananas.

Re: City water vs well water
 

I just talked to another company who said they only to deep artesian wells, and then line the metal pipe with plastic so that it never goes bad. This would provide about 22 psi with out a pump. But it would be high is sulfer. They are telling me a shallow well only last 5 - 7 years in FL before it drys out and pumps sand, that is why some people call them Sand Wells. His price is about $2100 for 350' deep well.

Re: City water vs well water
 

Well I don't know what the concentration would be and what kind of effect it would have on the plants. I believe you can put a water treatment system on it to reduce the sulfur, just like if you were going to use it as a potable water source. The contractor you are talking to might have a few ideas for you.

Re: City water vs well water
 

Our shallow well water is much much lower in iron than our deep (ostensibly drinking water) well. We don't drink it but use for everything else. If not treated it will stain the hell out of anything it touches. The shallow yard well does not do this.

Maybe you can compare with some neighbors? If they have shallow wells (really cheap to set up) you could compare measurements. We're hoping to get city water for drinking one of these days (when the city gets enough money or a city councilman moves to our street). I'll keep the other well for irrigation anyway.

BTW, even if you have a shallow well, you are bound by watering restrictions. Currently we are permitted to irrigate the yard (thus the nanners) on Thursdays and Sundays. We also have to pay the storm water drainage tax.

S.

Re: City water vs well water
 

I think Darkman (another member) in the panhandle put one in about a year ago.....you could ask him, he uses a fair amount of water.

My kids, alittle south of you irrigate with shallow well.
The water is high in calcium and iron. Smells like hell also.
Places that have overspray have an iron stain but not strong.
HOWEVER .....I let my car get blasted for a week while I was gone ?
OMG?????WT?????
My black car was white with deposits.UGH

In Ohio water is somewhat inexpensive, it is the sewer cost factored in that drives up the cost.
I currently irrigate with "city" water .I would love to have a well.....just a few houses down they use lake water....arrrrg!

Re: City water vs well water
 

I assume the restrictions also apply to the deeper well? When I get set up, I'm going with rain barrels. It's amazing how much water runs off of a roof even when rain is sparse.

Re: City water vs well water
 

Sounds about how far we have to go here as well.. :^)

Re: City water vs well water
 

The water restrictions apply to irrigation systems not hand watering, my neighbor waters every other day for the past 3 years dont think they have any inspectors who get up before 7 am LOL

Re: City water vs well water
 

I currently have 350 gal of water storage for rain run off. I want to keep that tank up and running as well . I will empty 350 gal in just under a week watering every other day.

Re: City water vs well water
 

I know you mulch; many people don't and have no idea how much that helps to retain moisture. BTW, get another tank or 2 and top them up from your well on days you can water.